Warren Wants State Seat, Asks Gop's Blessing

February 14, 1986|by CHUCK AYERS, The Morning Call

Bucks County Commissioner Andrew L. Warren said last night he plans to run for a seat in the General Assembly this spring.

Warren told the county Republican executive committee at its monthly meeting in Doylestown of his intention to run for either the 10th District Senate seat or the 144th District House seat, depending on which is sought by state Rep. Benjamin H. Wilson, R-144th District.

He said it would be "counterproductive" to run against Wilson in the April 20 primary election.

Warren said he would return to the executive committee seeking endorsement for one of the two positions.

"The only problem is that I don't know at this point exactly which one, not because of ambivalence, but out of allegiance to Ben Wilson and the Republican Party," he said before the GOP meeting.

"I will screen for only one and ask for your endorsement for only one (position)," Warren said in a prepared statement.

The statement said also that he had met with party row officeholders Tuesday to inform them of his decision.

In his seventh year as a county commissioner, Warren noted that if he is elected to either position he would leave his post as minority Bucks commissioner with one year left in his term.

Wilson, a 20-year member of the Legislature, informally announced in December he would seek the seat being vacated by state Sen. Edward L. Howard, R-10th District, of Doylestown.

If that is the case, Warren would seek the party's endorsement as the GOP candidate for the 144th District House seat.

Warren's announcement comes one week before the GOP is to screen prospective candidates for party endorsements.

The Warminster Township resident said he wanted to inform the executive committee of his decision not to seek an unprecedented third term as commissioner to end "all kinds of rumor and speculation."

"I certainly enjoyed my position as county commissioner. I just don't believe any elected official is elected for life," he said.

By March 6, the Republican committee is expected to announce the party's endorsements. Five days later is the filing deadline for the spring primary elections.